Preparing for Labor | Americord Registry

Preparing for labor can feel overwhelming, but with the right steps, you can approach it with confidence. Here’s a quick guide to get started:

Create a Birth Plan: Outline preferences like pain management, delivery setup, and postpartum care. Review it with your healthcare provider early.
Pack Your Hospital Bag: Essentials for mom (e.g., nightgowns, toiletries), baby (e.g., outfits, car seat), and your support person.
Understand Labor Signs: Watch for regular contractions, water breaking, or the mucus plug. Contact your doctor if needed.
Learn Labor Stages: Labor has three stages: dilation, pushing, and delivering the placenta. Knowing what to expect can ease anxiety.
Prepare Physically and Mentally: Stay active with exercises like walking and Kegels. Use breathing techniques and positive affirmations to stay calm.
Pain Management Options: Choose between non-medical techniques (e.g., movement, water immersion) or medical options (e.g., epidurals, nitrous oxide).
Consider Stem Cell Banking: Decide early if you want to store your baby’s cord blood for future medical use.

Quick Tip: Build trust with your care team, stay flexible with your plans, and focus on a healthy outcome for you and your baby.

For a smoother experience, start planning early, stay informed, and lean on your support system.

10 Tips for an Easier Labor and Delivery

Getting Ready for Delivery Day

Preparation is key to making your delivery experience as smooth as possible. Finalize your plans, pack thoughtfully, and build a solid connection with your healthcare team.

Writing Your Birth Plan

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggests creating a birth plan to outline your preferences for labor, delivery, and postpartum care ^[8].

Your birth plan might include:

Pain management options
Delivery room setup
Newborn care procedures
Postpartum care preferences

Keep your plan concise – aim for a one-page bullet list ^[10]. Consider drafting multiple versions (Plan A, B, and C) to cover different scenarios ^[9]. Share your plan with your healthcare provider during your second trimester to ensure it aligns with hospital policies.

Once your birth plan is finalized, shift your focus to packing your hospital bag.

What to Pack

Start packing your hospital bag around week 36-37 ^[6].

For Mom:

Front-opening nightgowns for breastfeeding ^[5]
Toiletries
Long phone charger ^[6]
Key documents (insurance card, hospital forms)

For Baby:

Two sizes of going-home outfits ^[7]
Confirm your car seat is installed before labor ^[6]

For Support Person:

A change of clothes
Comfortable shoes
Personal care essentials

In most cases, it's okay to wear your regular clothes postpartum. You don't have to stay in the hospital gown. - Dr. Alrahmani ^[6]

Working with Your Medical Team

Beyond packing, clear communication with your care team is crucial. Build trust by asking direct questions and discussing procedures using the BRAIN method ^[3]:

Benefits
Risks
Alternatives
Intuition
Next/Nothing

Preparing for birth starts with having a trusting relationship with your care team, knowing that the goal is a healthy outcome for you and your baby. We want you to stay open-minded and feel safe to ask questions as your labor unfolds. - UCLA Health ^[1]

Take a hospital tour to get familiar with the facilities ^[2]. Give yourself time to process any information, and always ask for clarification if something isn’t clear ^[3].

Labor Basics

Understanding the basics of labor can help ease anxiety and prepare you to act when the time comes.

How to Tell Labor Has Started

True labor is different from false contractions. Here are some key signs to watch for:

Sign	What to Look For	When to Call
Contractions	Regular contractions lasting 60–90 seconds that intensify over time	When they occur every 5 minutes or more frequently
Water Breaking	A gush or steady flow of clear fluid, enough to soak a sanitary pad	Call immediately
Mucus Plug (Show)	Discharge of pink-tinged mucus	Only call if accompanied by heavy bleeding
Baby Movement	Normal movement patterns should continue	Call if movements significantly decrease

No one can predict when and how your labour will begin. - Institut national de santé publique du Québec ^[11]

If it's your first baby, head to the hospital when:

Contractions last 45–60 seconds and are strong.
They occur every 3–4 minutes for at least 2 hours.
You find it difficult to talk through contractions.

Once labor starts, it progresses through three distinct stages.

The 3 Phases of Labor

Stage 1: Dilation (Early and Active Labor)

Early labor (0–6 cm): This is the longest phase, lasting 8–18 hours for first-time mothers.
Active labor (6–10 cm): Contractions grow more intense and frequent.
Stay upright and active, and keep light snacks available for energy.

Stage 2: Pushing and Birth

Starts when you're fully dilated at 10 cm.
This phase can last 30 minutes to 3 hours for first-time mothers.
Actively push during contractions to help your baby move through the birth canal.

Stage 3: Placental Delivery

Happens after the baby is born.
Usually takes 5–30 minutes.

During early labor, consider these comfort techniques:

Warm showers or baths.
Breathing exercises to stay relaxed.
Gentle massage to ease tension.
Rest between contractions.
Stay hydrated with small sips of water.

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience a fever over 100.4°F, heavy bleeding, severe constant pain, reduced baby movement, or abnormal water breaking.

For those who’ve given birth before, labor typically moves faster – lasting 5–12 hours compared to 12–24 hours for first-time mothers ^[12]^[13].

Body and Mind Preparation

Getting both your body and mind ready can improve labor outcomes. Beyond creating a birth plan, focusing on physical and mental preparation can help you feel more equipped for the birthing process.

Exercise and Breathing Techniques

Staying active can build stamina for labor. Aim for about 30 minutes of moderate activity each day. Here’s a quick guide to some helpful exercises:

Exercise Type	Benefits	Recommended Frequency
Walking	Boosts stamina and helps the baby descend	30 minutes daily
Pelvic Tilts	Eases back pressure and strengthens the core	10–15 repetitions, twice daily
Kegel Exercises	Strengthens pelvic floor muscles	3 sets of 10, three times daily
Birth Ball Exercises	Aligns the pelvis and strengthens the core	15–20 minutes daily
Butterfly Stretch	Opens the pelvis and improves flexibility	Hold for 30–60 seconds, twice daily

Breathing techniques are just as important:

Deep Breathing: Slowly inhale through your nose, letting your belly expand, and exhale steadily through your mouth.
Labor-Specific Breathing:
- Early labor: Slow, deep breaths (6–8 breaths per minute).
- Active labor: Use a rhythmic hee-hee-who pattern during stronger contractions.
- Pushing stage: Focus on relaxed breathing between contractions.

These exercises and techniques can reduce stress, improve endurance, and complement your birth plan.

Mental Preparation Tips

Daily Affirmations can help you stay confident and focused. Repeat phrases like:

My body knows how to birth my baby.
Each contraction brings me closer to meeting my baby.
I am strong and capable.

Visualization is another powerful tool. Spend 10–15 minutes imagining a calm, positive birth. Picture your body working efficiently, your baby moving into position, and yourself feeling in control.

When you change the way you view your birth, the way you birth will change. – Marie Mongan ^[16]

For stress management, try short meditation sessions (5–10 minutes), progressive muscle relaxation, or guided imagery. Avoid negative birth stories to maintain a calm mindset.

Support Person Guidelines

Your support person plays a key role in your experience. They can:

Provide physical help with massages, counter-pressure, and position changes.
Advocate for your preferences and offer encouragement.

A 2017 study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that women who practiced exercises like birth ball routines with their support person had shorter labor times ^[15].

Your body will work hard during birth – especially the muscles of your lower back, lower abdomen, and vagina. We recommend doing special exercises to build endurance and help those muscles get ready. Think of it as training for the marathon known as childbirth! – Kaiser Permanente ^[14]

Managing Labor Pain

Labor pain can be managed through a mix of non-medical techniques and medical options, depending on your preferences and needs.

Non-Medical Pain Relief

Movement and positioning can naturally ease labor pain by working with your contractions. Here are some practical techniques to consider:

Technique	How It Helps	Best Timing
Birth Ball Movements	Promotes active movement and body adjustment	Early to active labor
Walking/Swaying	Uses gravity to assist baby's descent	Early labor to transition
Water Immersion	Warm water helps reduce pain	Active labor

A calming environment can also make a big difference. Try soft lighting, soothing music, or relaxation exercises to help you stay focused and comfortable.

Managing pain without medication is largely mental. The goal is to help silence the mind and relax the muscles. Your uterus is a muscle, so when you're tense, it's tense, too. This can prevent you from dilating and make labor harder. – Cristy Monroe, RN ^[17]

If these methods don’t provide enough relief, medical options are available.

Medical Pain Relief Options

For those who prefer or need medical assistance, there are several options:

Regional Pain Relief:
- Epidural Block: Provides consistent relief while keeping you alert.
- Spinal Block: Offers quick, short-term relief.
- Combined Spinal-Epidural: Combines immediate and ongoing pain management.
Other Options:
- Nitrous Oxide: Eases anxiety and pain with effects that wear off quickly.
- Local Anesthesia: Numbs specific areas for procedures like an episiotomy.
- Systemic Analgesics: Delivered through IV or injection to reduce the intensity of contractions.

Each approach has its own benefits, so consider what aligns best with your comfort and situation.

Stem Cell Banking Basics

As you prepare for labor, you might want to think about securing your newborn's future health through stem cell banking. This process involves storing cord blood from your baby for potential medical use later on.

About Cord Blood Storage

It's a good idea to explore your options early so you can make an informed choice. Cord blood contains stem cells that can transform into different blood cells and treat around 80 diseases ^[19]. The collection happens right after birth – once the umbilical cord is cut – and doesn't interfere with you or your baby ^[20].

Storage Type	Key Features	Cost Considerations
Public Banks	• Free donation • Available for anyone in need • FDA regulated	No cost to donate
Private Banks	• Family-exclusive use • Long-term storage options • Not FDA regulated	$2,000–$3,000 initial fee plus annual storage costs

Cord blood is more tolerant of a new host and can be used without full matching, providing increased access to transplantation for patients who cannot find a matched donor. – Jessica M. Sun, MD, Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist at Duke Children's ^[20]

Cord blood has some advantages over bone marrow – it requires less precise matching and contains 10 times more stem cells ^[20]^[18]. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics notes that the chances of needing privately stored cord blood range from 1 in 400 to 1 in 200,000 ^[18].

Picking a Stem Cell Bank

When choosing a stem cell bank, consider the following:

Accreditation: Look for banks with AABB accreditation to ensure reliable collection and storage standards ^[21]. For example, Americord Registry holds this accreditation and uses its exclusive CryoMaxx™ Processing technology.
Storage Technology: Assess how the bank processes and stores stem cells. Top facilities should offer temperature-controlled transport, advanced processing methods, secure storage systems, and consistent monitoring.
Service Plans and Costs: Compare service packages to find one that fits your needs. Americord Registry, for instance, provides tiered options like the Essential Family Plan (cord blood only), Advanced Family Plan (cord blood and tissue), Complete Family Plan (including placental tissue), and premium plans with extra features.

Choosing the right bank is an important step, much like preparing your birth plan, as it can contribute to your family's long-term health.

Conclusion

Preparing for childbirth requires careful planning and the ability to adapt, ensuring a positive experience.

Dr. Jessica W. Kiley from Northwestern Memorial Hospital highlights the importance of support during this process: It’s a privilege to be a part of this process for women and their families. It's our job to provide support, and we like to be reassuring... It's fun to be closely involved in this exciting event in a woman's life ^[23].

A prepared mama is a powerful mama. Winging birth is a huge mistake and can lead to lasting regrets. – Trish Ware, RN ^[4]

As your due date approaches, focus on key areas to feel ready and confident:

Priority Area	Key Actions	Why It Matters
Medical Readiness	Review your birth plan with your healthcare team and confirm your route to the hospital	Ensures clear communication and quick access when needed
Physical Preparation	Practice breathing techniques and maintain an approved exercise routine	Builds strength and stamina for labor
Support System	Confirm your support person's role and arrange for postpartum help	Provides emotional and physical assistance during and after

These steps help create a strong foundation for your delivery.

Dr. Jody L. Stonehocker from Vanderbilt Center for Women's Health offers valuable advice: At the end of the day, you don't want to feel like you somehow failed. Be open to changing your preferences as the birth story unfolds ^[22].